China China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation
YJ-83
A subsonic, sea-skimming anti-ship cruise missile widely fielded across PLA Navy surface combatants, submarines and JH-7/H-6 strike aircraft. It is one of China's most exported anti-ship weapons, comparable in role to the U.S. Harpoon.
In service since 1998 · 6 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
200
km range
0.9
Mach
190
kg warhead
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Chinese state channel
State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.
Channel: State export agency
Fielded & proven
Established · 6 operators
In service since 1998. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed (Mach) Maximum speed as a multiple of the speed of sound. Mach 2+ is typical for air-superiority fighters. | 0.9 Mach |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 200 km |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Warhead Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range. | 190 kg |
|---|---|
| Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable. | Semi-armor-piercing blast fragmentation |
| Guidance How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire. | Inertial navigation, active radar terminal homing |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 6.4 m |
|---|---|
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 815 kg |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Turbojet cruise with solid rocket booster |
|---|
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 6 |
|---|
Specifications compiled from public China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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Boeing AGM-86 ALCM Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-83? +
The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-83 has a maximum range of 200 km.
How much does the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-83 weigh? +
The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-83 has a combat weight of 815 kg.
What is the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-83 used for? +
The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-83 is a missile typically used for deep strike.
How many countries operate the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-83? +
The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-83 is operated by 6 countries.
How much does the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-83 cost? +
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-83: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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